Duchess of Malfi Quotes Flashcards
“visit and old anchorite for devotion”
2.4- Julia tells the Cardinal the excuse she used to go and see him to engage in their affair- the statement is ironic.
“‘twas just like one that hath a little fingering on the lute yet cannot tune it”
2.4- Cardinal to Julia about her previous dissatisfaction- sexual
“For I account the honourablest revenge”
4.1- Ferdinand to the Duchess- patriarchal power- leading her to dispair
“You are very cold. I fear you are not well after your travel”
4.1- Duchess caring for Ferdinand- actually a dead man’s hand- manipulation
“There is a kind of honeydew that’s deadly: ‘twill poison your fame”
1.2- Ferdinand warns the Duchess about ruining her reputation- attracted to sweetness that is deadly
“I have taken you off your melancholy perch, Bore you upon my fist, and showed you game”
2.4- the Cardinal makes more sexual references to Julia, suggesting her saved her from boredom and dissatisfaction.
“You already know what man is.”
1.2- the Cardinal references her previous marriage, suggesting that she cannot be with another man because she is already impure.
“I did vow never to part with it, But to my second husband”
1.2- the Duchess wittily remarks that she wasn’t going to part with her wedding ring but to the next person she marries, insinuating to Antonio that she wants that to be him.
“Diamonds are of most value, they say, that have passed through most jewellers hands”
1.2- the Duchess is not afraid to stand up to her brothers and comments on the fact that she can remarry, using this witty statement.
“How doth our sister Duchess bear herself in her imprisonment”
4.1- Ferdinand locks the Duchess away for marrying Antonio, then comes to visit her- physically restricting her sexuality/ freedom.
“The marriage night is the entering into some prison”
1.2- the Cardinal suggests that the Duchess would be less free in a marriage- foreshadows them imprisoning her instead.
“I’ll go hunt the badger by owl-light, ‘Tis a deed of darkness”
4.2- Ferdinand is going insane, descending into Lycanthropy.
“Her days are practised in such noble virtue That sure her nights… Are more in heaven than other ladies shrifts”
1.1- the Duchess is introduced as extremely devoted, respectable and pure by Antonio.
“Who would be afraid on’t, Knowing to meet such excellent company in the other world?”
4.2- the Duchess does not fear death, as she looks forward to seeing Antonio and her children again in death- dramatic irony as they aren’t dead.
“Where he is jealous of any man he lays worse plots for them than ever was imposed on Hercules.”
1.1- Antonio reveals the Cardinal to be extremely immoral, cruel and jealous, suggesting that he puts other people through torture to remain powerful and strong in society.
“Women like that part with, like the lamprey, hath ne’er a bone in’t”
1.2- Ferdinand makes a sexual remark toward the Duchess, suggesting that women are obsessed with men and sex.
“…but if’t chance / Some cursed example poison’t near the head, / Death and diseases through the whole land spread.”
1.1- corruption is spreading throughout the area- e.g. Cardinal and Ferdinand
“He and his brother are like plum trees that grow crooked over standing pools; they are rich and o’erladen with fruit.”
1.1- Bosola comments on the corruption of the brothers- they have an unstoppable desire for success.
“quits first his royal palace Of flattering sycophants”
1.1- the French court is the ideal compared to the Amalfi which is filled with sycophants and corruption.
“Here comes Bosola, The only court gall”
1.1- highlights Bosola’s state as a malcontent. He criticises and complains about the court, but is still willing to serve it if if benefits him.
“I fell into the galleys in your service”
1.1- Bosola reveals that the Cardinal’s business is not necessarily honest or legal, juxtaposing the expectations of a religious leader.
“for a soldier that hazards his limbs in a battle, nothing but a kind of geometry is his last supportation”
1.1- Bosola complains that for all his service to the Cardinal he has received nothing in return. He uses the metaphor of an injured soldier, suggesting that soldiers are left to care for themselves with little support but crutches.
“A prince’s court
Is like a common fountain, whence should flow
Pure silver drops in general; but if’t chance
Some cursed example poison’t near the head,
Death and diseases through the whole land spread.”
1.1- Antonio compares a court to a fountain, suggesting that it should flow goodness, but if the leader is corrupt, it will spread disease and corruption. Body politic.
“With all your divinity do but direct me the way to it. I have
known many travel far for it, and yet return as arrant knaves
as they went forth, because they carried themselves always along with them.”
1.1- Bosola asks the Cardinal to guide him to honesty but suggests that people usually come back worse than they left- Cardinal’s bad influence. Suggesting that personality is immobile.
“Some fellows, they say, are possessed with the devil, but this great fellow were able to possess the greatest devil and make him worse.”
1.1- Bosola suggests that the Cardinal is so bad he could possess the greatest devil and still be worse. Associating Cardinal with devil/ sin juxtaposes his title.
“Believe my experience: that realm is never long in quiet where
the ruler is a soldier.”
1.2- leaders should not be obsessed with war else no peace will be kept.
“Some such flashes superficially hang on him, for form; but observe his inward character: he is a melancholy churchman.”
1.2- the Cardinal may appear honourable but he is melancholy, brooding, sinful and deceptive.
“He speaks with others’ tongues, and hears men’s suits
With others’ ears; will seem to sleep o’th’ bench
Only to entrap offenders in their answers;
Dooms men to death by information,
Rewards by hearsay.”
1.2- Ferdinand uses spies and messengers to stay in control of the court. Extremely deceptive- uses his power for manipulation and corruption.
